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May 12, 2014

Abbot’s Whispers - Race Review Thursday 8th May

Rain early in the day change the going too heavy with soft in places. The SIS At The Heart Of Betting “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle 2m 3f proved to be a competitive race with five runners going clear. Philip Hobbs bumper winner RIVERDEEP made the most of the soft conditions he was always up with the pace and jumped well led after the 6th and won by 2 lengths from the favourite Sidbury Hill. The winner was making his hurdling debut but looks a chasing type.

Stow-On-The-Wold trainer David Bridgwater saddled his 100th winner when NOMADICSTORM landed The Newquay Zoo Handicap Chase 2m ½ f. The race was run at a strong pace leaving most of the field struggling after the first circuit, the winner took his time and made inroads towards the leaders four out and led going to the second last to beat Respectueux by 14 lengths. Look out for him this summer!

The four market leaders battled it out from the home turn in The BHE & ST Handicap Hurdle 2m1f. It was the father and son combination of trainer James and jockey Haddon Frost who took the honours with UNIONSAINT. The winner did not have it easy he looked beaten down the back straight but gained second wind to go three clear after the last beating the favourite Canadian Diamond by 5 lengths.

The At The Races Sky 415 Handicap Chase 2m 5 ½ f was run at an even pace. There were only two horses in it two out, point-to-point winner BALLHOPPER trained by Richenda Ford under Adam Wedge did just enough to hold off the challenging Kirbys Glen trained by Keiran Burke to win by a length.

Gavin Sheehan gave CAPPIELOWPARK an assured ride in The Visit Us At sis.tv Novices’ Handicap Hurdle 2m 1f. The winner making only his second appearance for Eastbury trainer Ali Brewer slowly got into the race leading after the third last to beat the Neil Mulholland trained Another Brandy by 5 lengths. The winner is worth noting and may quickly reappear to add to this success.

There was a good finish to The newtonabbotracing.com Selling Handicap Hurdle 2m 6f with three horse in a line going to the last fence. It was the Chris Down trained THEDEBOFTHEYEAR who jumped well throughout under Charlie Deutsch and showed good spirit to battle back when headed after the last by Fintan to win by a neck.

The form was reversed in The Independent Racecourses Ltd IRL Open Hunters’ Chase 3m 2 ½ f when the Sue Popham trained IRONCHANCELLOR took the honours. Beaten by the fourth placed Coombe Hill at Wincanton last month the winner now better off at the weights looked to have come on for that run to beat multiple-winning pointer Double Bank by 9 lengths.